California court e-filing PDF requirements
California's court e-filing landscape is more fragmented than federal courts: different courts use different case management systems (File & ServeXpress, TylerTech Odyssey, CCC, court-specific systems), and each can have different technical configurations. The California Rules of Court (specifically CRC Rule 2.256 and Title 2, Division 7) set baseline standards that apply across courts.
Baseline requirements under CRC: PDFs must be text-searchable if generated from a word processor. Scanned PDFs for documents that cannot be converted (handwritten, legacy) must be OCR'd. Page size is US Letter. Signatures must comply with CRC Rule 2.257 for electronic signatures.
File size limits vary by court: many California courts using File & ServeXpress allow documents up to 25 MB per document. Some courts using CCC (California Courts Case management system) have different limits. Check your specific court's supplemental e-filing rules.
PrepFile's E-Filing Checker is useful for checking the baseline requirements before any California court filing. Configure the size limit to match your court's published cap.
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California court e-filing pre-flight
- Identify your court's case management system and published e-filing guide.
- Set PrepFile's file size limit to your court's configured maximum.
- Run the checker on your proposed filing PDF.
- Address any fails before uploading.
- Note: California courts may have additional formatting requirements (page limits, font size, margins) beyond technical PDF requirements. Review CRC Rules 2.108–2.119 for format rules.
Questions
Do California courts require PDF/A?
Not generally. Standard searchable PDF is the operative requirement. Some courts recommend PDF/A-1a for archival filings but most do not require it.
How do I find my California court's specific e-filing rules?
Go to courts.ca.gov, navigate to your court, and look for the self-help or forms section. Most courts publish a supplemental e-filing rules document or FAQ specific to their case management system.
What are CRC electronic signature requirements for California filings?
CRC Rule 2.257 governs electronic signatures on court documents. The rule allows electronic signatures in many circumstances. Refer to the rule text and your court's local rules for specific requirements by document type.